What to gather for a small estate in Kentucky

A short petition to the District Court. If the court grants it, the court orders that no estate needs to be opened and that the listed personal property, such as bank accounts and vehicles, be transferred to the surviving spouse, the children, or the person who paid the funeral and other preferred bills.

Limit

Up to $30,000 (deaths on or after July 15, 2020) Counted after subtracting liens (what is owed on the property).

Date of death	Limit
On or after July 15, 2020	$30,000
On or before July 14, 2020	$15,000

The person's probate assets, minus the preferred claims paid (such as funeral and administration costs), can be worth no more than $30,000, the amount of the surviving spouse's or children's exemption. A person who has paid preferred claims can also use it if the assets are worth no more than the claims paid. Before July 15, 2020, the exemption was $15,000.

What counts

The value of the person's probate assets, minus preferred claims that the spouse, children or petitioner paid (such as administration costs and funeral expenses), compared with the $30,000 spouse-and-children exemption. Alternatively, the assets cannot be worth more than the preferred claims the petitioner paid.

Waiting period

The law sets no waiting period.

Who can use it

The surviving spouse; if there is no spouse, the surviving children; or a person who paid preferred claims, or the assignee of those claims, if there is no spouse or the spouse or children waived the exemption. The court can order the assets transferred to a person the spouse designates.

Court or where to file

The District Court of the county where the person lived (the court that would handle the estate).

Notary

The petition is verified and sworn before a notary.

Papers to attach

• Certified death certificate (the court clerk usually asks for it)
• List of the assets and their approximate values, with the VIN of any vehicle
• Receipts for the preferred claims paid, such as funeral bills
• Waivers (AOC-831) from other children or from the spouse, if needed
• The original will, if there is one and you ask the court to probate it at the same time

Steps

1. List the person's probate assets and their values.
2. Gather receipts for funeral and other preferred claims you paid.
3. Fill in form AOC-830 and sign it before a notary; attach any AOC-831 waivers.
4. File it with the District Court clerk in the county where the person lived and pay the court costs.
5. If the judge grants it, take certified copies of the order to the bank, the county clerk (for vehicles) and other holders.

Fee

Court costs are charged when you file; ask the District Court clerk.

Forms

• AOC-830 Petition to Dispense with Administration (Rev. 1-26)

Law: KRS 395.450, 395.455, 391.030 (KRS 395.455 as amended by 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 134, effective July 15, 2026)

Source: Official page